Thank you grandma!

It's a happy week for Dan and Dana since school is over, but a sad week for Grandma who has to go home! She has been watching Courtney for the past 2 and a half weeks. She has loved rocking, holding, singing and playing with her! We can't thank you enough Grandma! Courtney will miss you!

Dan's Birthday

Dan turned 29 this weekend! His birthday lasted for 3 days and even continued onto today when he found out he got a NEW JOB! Next year he will be a counselor at Raytown Middle School! He is very excited for this new change. We also went to Ashley's baby blessing on Sunday. Courtney got to see all her grandparents this weekend. Grandma and grandpa Hicks came up this weekend to see Courtney and I guess celebrate with Dan (but mostly to see the girl!!)

Dan at Outback blowing out his candles (and probably wishing for a new job)!

The best birthday present ever!

Grandma Leslie got lots of play time this weekend.

Courtney and mommy getting ready for Ashley's blessing!

Firsts

The past few weekends were filled with many firsts. It was my first Mother's Day, we took Courtney on her first Plaza outing, she wore her first dress (that actually fit...), and her daddy finally read to her for the first time his favorite book (not his first time reading to her, but her first time hearing "If you give a pig a pancake").

Here's Courtney listening intently as Daddy reads what will eventually become her favorite book (hopefully!)
She's got a look on her face here that seems to be saying "Why aren't I taking a nap right now?" Here's Dana and Courtney on their first Mother's Day together.
Here's Mom and Courtney enjoying the lilacs outdoors. Courtney made sure to color-cordinate with her pants.
Waiter, I'll take the queso dip to go please! Courtney's first trip to the plaza downtown was great! She loved it at Baja 600 and was awake for the entire time.
Dad, Come on! Quit stopping to take so many pictures and keep pushing me! I'm having fun here!


I think she looks like a ballerina with a tutu here!

Courtney likes learning how to sit. Pretty soon she's be doing it without any help!

Fun and Games

Courtney is now smiling! Here are some of her best smiles and giggles! She is also starting to like playing on her play mats. She still doesn't quite get that the toys are there for her to play with, but she stares at them very well! We also put several pictures of another new trick - holding her head up!

Baby Blessing

Courtney was blessed on April 20 at Liberty St.

She was blessed by her uncle David and grandpa Gaylon.

Grandma Frances and Grandpa Hicks both said some nice things about her.

After church we had family and friends back at our house for lunch.

I am not sure how to turn pictures....

First friends

Courtney already has several very close friends.

She has even been awake to meet most of them!!

Courtney and Kaitlynn before their first lunch date at Panera.

Courtney and Marin sleeping at church.

Courtney and Kaitlynn.

Ashley and Courtney meet! Courtney wasn't at all jealous Ashley could hold her head up and stay awake.

sleeping like a baby

Here are some of our favorite sleeping baby pictures!

My first bath!

Grandma Frances gave Courtney her first bath a few days after we got home. She did not like it - too cold!

But once she is all warm and cozy after, she gets happy!

Easter

Courtney's first holiday! We celebrated Easter by making our first big car trip to Stewartsville to Grandma and Grandpa Whitmer's house. She was a very good girl and slept the whole way. She was outfitted in a super cute bunny sleeper and, of course, bunny slippers. For her second wardrobe change, she had a flowery dress and cardigan that I bought a few years ago anticipating a baby girl! We had lunch with all the family and Courtney got lots of loving from her aunts, uncles and cousins! Look at those slippers! Courtney died the eggs herself!
Great grandma Whitmer holding her newest great-grandchild.
Courtney's oldest cousin, Megan.
Our first family picture (where we aren't in pajamas).
Uncle Jim sent this giant bunny...which makes little Courtney look even smaller! Courtney looks like a little Easter egg here, with her "My first Easter" bunny.

Courtney comes home!

We brought Courtney home from the hospital on Thursday morning, March 13. Grandma Frances was waiting for us! As we drove the 5 minutes from the hospital and were nearing the school, we were already talking about how Courtney is going to be coming home from that school with pictures she drew for us. Dan really knows how to make a girl cry!

Here is Courtney in our favorite outfit (which was newborn size, but giant on her) so we wanted it to be her homecoming outfit. This is her first few minutes in her new house!

Aunt Lindsey meets Courtney!
An after dinner shot.
This is where Courtney eats dinner with the family.

Look at those beautiful daffodils!